Where to Stay in Abisko (Including Budget-Friendly Options!)
Something that I think surprises most visitors to Abisko is just how small the village actually is. When you’re comparing destinations across the Nordics that receive winter tourism, Abisko is usually named in the mix. But the village is tiny. It only has around 100 residents!
The reason I mention this is that one of the things that is noticeable when planning your Abisko trip is just how few accommodation options exist there as a result. Hotels in Abisko fill up quickly and it can be really difficult to plan a last-minute trip to this part of Swedish Lapland.
Quick Abisko Travel Guide
If you’re traveling to Abisko last minute, be sure you have hotels and tours booked ahead of time. Below are some of my top picks:
🇸🇪 Best tours and activities in Abisko:
- Northern lights chase around Abisko Nat’l Park (best aurora tour I’ve ever taken!)
- Dog-sledding in Abisko (one of the most popular tours)
- Day trip to Narvik, Norway (get to see the Norwegian fjords!)
🛌 Top hotels and lodging in Abisko:
- Abisko Mountain Lodge (nicest place in Abisko; located in the village)
- STF Abisko Turiststation (in the national park, has an on-site restaurant and a variety of rooms)
- Abisko Guesthouse & Activities (has budget options; located in the village)
🚗 Planning to travel around Sweden independently? Find and compare the cheapest rental car rates here!
I planned a February trip somewhat last-minute one year, and I had to stay in 4 different places in Abisko and Kiruna as a result. The demand for accommodation is only getting greater as the years pass.
Fortunately, I have stayed at a few of the best places to stay in Abisko on my multiple trips to the village, so I feel pretty qualified to write a guide about it! In this guide, you will see where to stay in Abisko, as well as a few options in Kiruna.
I am not including Airbnbs in this guide… only hotels, guesthouses, and lodges. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments or feel free to send me a message. Thanks!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the following:
Where to Stay in Abisko (Overview)
The first thing to know about staying in Abisko is that there are two sections to the village. You have the village itself, which is home to most of the accommodation and then you have the area that is at Abisko National Park, where you’ll find STF Turiststation Abisko. The train from Kiruna/Narvik stops at both. The grocery store and gas station are in the main village, however.
If you are staying nearby in Kiruna, beware of the location as well. You have the older part of the city where Camp Ripan is, the newer part of the city (where Scandic and Elite Frost are), and then Jukkasjärvi, a Sámi village around 19 kilometers (12 miles) outside of Kiruna. Jukkasjärvi is where the Reindeer Lodge and Ice Hotel are located.
You will need to book accommodation EARLY. It fills up quickly and there is nothing around these areas that will give you an option of something different.
Another thing I need to note here is that the accommodation in Abisko is not luxurious. Like AT ALL. Even the place with a few ‘luxury’ options is mostly pretty basic (Abisko Mountain Lodge). They have a variety of rooms, but nothing feels like it is meant for a couple looking for a pampered getaway.
If you are looking for this type of trip specifically, I recommend doing a unique stay at the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi or booking a room at the Elite Hotel Frost or Scandic in downtown Kiruna. Don’t worry, they have some rooms that are not in the ice hotel itself!
For the sake of this guide, I am primarily focusing on the places to stay in Abisko. Toward the end of the guide, I will make mention of the places to stay in Kiruna if you’d like to move locations for part of your trip.
Areas of Abisko and Kiruna (On a Map!)
How To Use This Map
You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).
Where to Stay in Abisko (With Details)
Abisko Mountain Lodge
While I am torn at recommending STF Abisko Turiststation above the Abisko Mountain Lodge, I have selected Abisko Mountain Lodge as the top simply because its restaurant is better than STF’s. At Abisko Mountain Lodge, you will stay in one of their cabins (a bit more luxurious) or in one of the rooms inside the main lodge. The rooms are a little outdated but are as nice as you’re going to get in Abisko.
The reception and lounge area is very cozy, with a fireplace, bar, and a small gift shop. What really sets Abisko Mountain Lodge apart from the others is its restaurant. They have local delicacies like reindeer, Arctic char, moose, and more. There are also plenty of vegetarian options. Tours will pick up from the Abisko Mountain Lodge.
STF Abisko Turiststation
A second great option for a place to stay in Abisko is the STF Abisko Turiststation. This is a large complex that has a variety of rooms (including dorms for those on a budget!), a restaurant, and easy access to Abisko National Park.
It sits right next to the Naturum Visitor Center and is the starting point for many of the trails. While I love the location of STF, the food for lunch can be a bit mediocre and you’re far away from the grocery store in the main village. But they have a shop on-site where you can get necessities.
STF Abisko Turiststation is like a hostel on steroids, except you’ll find families and couples staying there too. Given that they have a variety of rooms, it is suitable for any traveler. You will need to get the train to a different station than the one in the village, however. Tours will pick up from STF.
Abisko Hostel & Huskies
A budget-friendly option for a place to stay in Abisko is Abisko Hostel & Huskies. I have not stayed here and it gets decent reviews, but it is a place to consider if you’re exploring options. It is located in the village and has shared dorms, as well as private rooms for guests. There is also a sauna on-site.
Abisko Guesthouse & Activities
In Abisko village, you’ll find a bright yellow guesthouse called Abisko Guesthouse & Activities. As suggested, it is known for its excursions… which can often be booked last-minute when you’re there (but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you end up with an extra day in Abisko). They have a few rooms, including shared dorms.
I stayed in a private room with bunk beds that had a shared bathroom and kitchen. I really loved the space, but the bedroom was a bit small for someone claustrophobic like me. But I would definitely stay there again!
It is conveniently located with the grocery store only a short walk away. Tours pick up here, as well, which is nice!
Where to Stay in Björkliden
Hotell Fjället
I have never stayed in Björkliden, but it is known for its skiing in the winter and camping in the summer. I love driving through the area as it is jaw-dropping and home to Silverfallet Waterfall.
Hotell Fjället offers family rooms with private bathrooms and ski-to-door access. There is a ski pass sales point and a restaurant that serves European cuisine for lunch and dinner. A breakfast buffet is available each morning.
Where to Stay in Kiruna (& Jukkasjärvi)
I have created a separate guide of my recommended places to stay in Kiruna, but here is a quick list of my suggestions in Kiruna and Jukkasjärvi:
- Scandic Kiruna: A standard place to stay in the heart of the new city. Close to restaurants, shopping, and the relocated Kiruna Church.
- Camp Ripan: My favorite place to stay in Kiruna city. Located in the older part of town… it has a really nice restaurant and trails.
- Elite Hotel Frost – Hotel & Spa: A newer hotel in Kiruna and located in its new town. Has a spa and wellness services.
- Aurora River Camp Glass Igloos & Cabins: A unique accommodation option close to Kiruna.
- Ice Hotel: You can stay at the famous ice hotel in a room made of ice… or one of their warmer rooms. Such a unique experience in Jukkasjärvi.
- Reindeer Lodge: A unique place to stay at a Sámi-owned business. I have stayed here two different times, and you can read my review here.
- Husky Lodge Kiruna: I stayed here my first night in Kiruna and loved it. They also offer tours, glamping options, and more.
Do you have any questions about where to stay in Abisko? Let me know in the comments, or you can send me a message to chat further. Thanks!
